Making Change

With the cost of youth sports on the rise, kids from low-income families are getting left on the sidelines. The Open Goal Project is on a mission to change that by offering 100% free youth soccer programming.

“Having a truly equitable, accessible program starts with having zero cost,” said Amir Lowery, Executive Director of the Open Goal Project. “We’re trying to close the gaps that prevent our marginalized communities from participating so everybody has a chance to play.”

Amir grew up playing soccer in the Washington, D.C. area, and went on to play in college and professionally. But when he returned to his hometown as a coach, he was troubled by the stark lack of diversity he saw in pay-to-play teams. Families were getting priced out, and it showed. Determined to make a change, he teamed up with Simon Landau, Director of Development and Partnerships, and together they founded the Open Goal Project.

To meet the different needs of the community, the organization offers a competitive travel club, a league for players aged 5-12, and summer camps, all at no cost. These programs teach essential life skills like resiliency and teamwork, strengthen physical and mental health, and most importantly, foster a community of belonging.

“Our core values are community, family, and love,” said Amir. “It’s really about this culture of inclusion and belonging that we’ve created, where no one feels excluded or left on the outside.”

One way Open Goal preserves this positive culture is through mentorship. The program is structured so that as student athletes get older, they begin taking on leadership roles, and can earn community service hours by coaching younger players. After graduation, they become eligible for paid positions, creating a passionate team committed to the organization’s goals.

Since its founding in 2015, the Open Goal Project has grown from helping just a handful of students to serving over 500 youth in 2025. Amir says community partnerships help make this growth possible.

“Our model relies on organizations and people who see sports as an opportunity that should be available to everybody,” said Amir. “Without the support of our community this work would be impossible.”

MainStreet Bank is proud to be one of those supporters. Inspired by Open Goal’s mission, a team of MainStreet Bank employees came together to donate through the bank’s Making Change employee giving program, contributing $6,500 in 2024 to support this impactful work.